Hi Bede, thanks for the quick reply! I was thinking about the potatoes thing this morning as I ran - it's a great analogy! I'm used to being a bit speedier at low HRs but I'm going to try and not focus on the past and look forward to improving again instead.

Rubbish - stick with it, you'll be amazed. I'm with BeDe, when i started HADD about a year ago i was in the mid 11's for 70% and within 3 months that was down to low 10's. Now it's probably around mid 8's for up to 15M.

Chick - you'll murder 3:25 surely based on your training !! I remember thinking a couple of weeks back how similar to mine ( better if anything) your stats were for the long runs. And you've done shed loads of 20+ ? Just don't be shit on the day GOOD LUCK !!!!

Thanks for the vote of confidence. If a miracle happens and everything goes brilliantly on the day I could probably get in around 3:22 but no way I can do 7:30s (yet). It's the long time goal for 2014. I have been shit so many times and learned the hard way to respect how bliddy long 26.2 miles really is .

Anyway, the plan is 7:50s and if things feel too easy gradually pick it up from 18 miles onwards.

Mace, great time and no need for me to run after reading that - am worn out My fastest mile to date is still 7:45 and doubt I'd ever be able to string 26 of them together.

Rubbish, you stole my username lol. I've just started HADDing and gone from 11:15-11:30 Min miles everywhere at about 80% to 12mm @68% WHR and feel much better but still waiting for the good things to happen.

Chick - as with Mace your goal of 7:45mm is still like me running 26 back to back PB's so hats off to you

Mace, thanks for the data and your perspective on the P&D plan. It's great to hear I may be in the ballpark at this point. But agree, it all comes down to endurance.

Chick, good to hear from you! I'm glad your training has gone well. Nice job on the half. You are definitely someone who can trust her training. Based on what I read over the past year you rarely miss a planned workout. So you've done all the work, now you'll just have to trust yourself. Remember too that your reason for madness (taper) should ensure you are super ready to run your target pace. Perhaps it will feel better than you think on race day. Anyway, I hope it all goes well for you.

Yup, flat, straight and actually quite boring. Was also heading toward 30 degrees C on my 3 runs there so hard work even though it was flat. I did manage to do a mile in my Vibram FF Bikilas a couple of times on some hillier bits.

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